SHUMWAY, Ill. — Dyna-Gro took the top spot in a soybean seed test in Illinois this year.

The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on the southern Illinois farm of David Soltwedel, in Effingham County. The results shown in the test are of the top 30 for yield of 42 tested.

Dyna-Gro’s 39RY43 variety, with an average yield of 51.6 bushels per acre, took first place. The moisture content for the variety was 13.1 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $619.10.

Kruger K2-4102 came in second place with yield, with 50.7 bushels per acre, moisture content of 13.5, and the estimated gross income per acre was $607.90. Stone 2R4302 was third at 49.6 bushels per acre, 13.1 moisture and the estimated gross income was $595.10.

Soltwedel’s farm has silt loam soil. The field was moderately poor drained and non-irrigated. Conventional cultivation with fall till was used and Roundup WeatherMax was used for pest management. For the test, F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Eric Beyers planted the field at a rate of 155,000 seeds per acre on May 24, and harvested at 122,000 plants per acre Oct. 24.

The average yield for all varieties in the test was 45.5 bushels per acre, the moisture content was at 13.6 percent and the average gross income per acre was $545.80. High temperatures and a lack of rain had an effect on the crop, according to Beyers.

“David commented that the soybean field around the plot averaged 47 bushels per acre,” he reported. “Harvested plants had excellent growth of near 50 inches tall, but late-season heat and drought conditions took its toll.

“Harvested seed size was 3,800 to 4,200 seeds per pound. Seed pods were abundant, but the climate reduced the fill. Seed quality was good,” he said.

The previous crop on this field was corn treated with atrazine and Roundup.

For a complete list of brands tested and a searchable database of information, go online to www.firstseed tests.com